Utilities

Below you'll find an outline of Beijing utilities and how much they cost. Of course, the actual bill will vary depending on your consumption. Recent high-end construction includes energy saving technologies, but most properties lag behind northern European standards.

Electricity

This is the major utility expense in Beijing. Highest in the hot summer months due to air-conditioning use. Average cost is about RMB500/month for a 2 bedroom apartment and about RMB3,800/month for a house.Cost: RMB0.50 per kWh

Natural Gas

A minor expense of about RMB70/month in apartments and many houses where your gas stove is the only gas consumer. Many houses user gas heaters for heating and hot-water. At these properties, average costs rise to about RMB800/month.Cost: RMB2.15/m3

Public central heating

Public central heating is measured on a per square meter (of the property) basis for the year, irrespective of energy consumption. For some older properties, the only thermostat is an open window. There is a concerted effort to improve this wasteful shortcoming, but infrastructure improvements will take time. Public central heating is turned on each year from the 15th of November to the 15th of March. If the weather is exceptionally cold, the authorities may turn it on a few days early. Immediately prior to and after this period, many residents rely on electric heating to get them through the chilly evenings and mornings. Most suburban houses have gas heaters where heating is available at all times (see above). As a rule, the fixed public central heating fee is included in the rent.Cost: RMB24.00/m2

Water

Given its scarcity, water is a relatively low-cost utility in Beijing. Tenants at apartments might spend RMB80 a month while families at villas might spend RMB350 a month.Cost: RMB3.70/m3 (cold water) and RMB13.00/m3 (hot water)

Pre-paid utilities

Electricity is pre-paid at most apartments and some housing communities. Gas and water may be pre-paid. If not pre-paid, the resident is billed monthly. This can cause confusion for new residents. You (or your Ayi) should check the meter weekly and always ensure that you have a loaded pre-paid card in your home. Keep it in a safe place as it is difficult to replace. Cards are refilled at the management office or bank (we'll show you how). At some properties, there are (sometimes) quick-fix solutions if your your air-conditioner stops in the middle of a baking Beijing night. But, it's an experience best avoided by taking the aforementioned precautions.

Note that the above quoted rates are average rates at time of writing.

Apartment towers lining the edge of the city's largest park house many of Beijing's expatriates. They are well served by the cafes and restaurants clustered around Chaoyang Park's West gate. To the north there's the Lufthansa Centre and surrounding office towers. The German school is here, as is the new US embassy. The area includes Lady's Street, a flower market and bazaar.

One of the older expatriate neighbourhoods with the Holiday Inn Lido at its epicentre. A leafy area with good expatriate amenities. 798, a 50s era factory turned creative hub is here. To the northeast, there's Wangjing, a large mid-tier residential neighbourhood. Some larger corporations are building dedicated office complexes here.

The busy central business district contains a high concentration of office towers with China World at it's centre. Ritan Park and the surrounding leafy embassies afford a small green lung. Preferred by those wanting easy access to amenities and a quick commute to work.

Beijing's geographic and administrative centre containing Tiananmen, the Forbidden City and Houhai. Populated by government employees and tourists, few expatriates choose to live here due to a lack of quality homes and a dearth of amenities. The area includes Financial Street, to the West of Tiananmen, a commercial area that has attracted a number of financial institutions.

Although home to the city's top universities, this is not Cambridge. Promoted as a tech development zone, it isn't Palo Alto either. There is a vibrant student scene, but expatriates working here choose to commute from the eastern side of the city.

A large cluster of leafy embassies here, but the neighbourhood is most renowned for its bars, cafes and restaurants. The Bookworm, a literary cafe, and small independent boutiques add a bohemian flavour. The Workers Stadium and French School are also here. To the north there's Dongzhimen, a transport hub that includes the airport line.

Expatriate suburbia, minutes from the airport and less than an hour's commute to the CBD. The major international schools are here. A wide range of expatriate amenities have sprung up around the villa communities. This quieter and greener area is a family friendly biosphere.

Office and apartment developments have extended north along the 3rd Ring into Sanyuan Qiao. Few amenities here, but it's a short hop to Sanlitun and Chaoyang Park. The subway and airport line allow easy access to most parts of the city.

Home to the Olympic Stadium and its surrounding facilities. The vast park area is a boon for the neighbourhood but with no quality homes, few expatriates choose to live here.

Once the wrong side of the railway tracks, the south is still underdeveloped. Low property prices mean favourable rents for bargain hunters. No amenities, but some apartments are close to the CBD.

Just outside the East 4th Ring, the area was once an industrial hinterland. Some mid to low-end residential developments here. A short commute to the CBD, but few expatriate amenities in the area.